Implant device for use in salivary gland duct

Abstract

An implant device for placement within a salivary gland duct having a first end adjacent a parotid gland and a second end adjacent a submandibular gland. The implant device comprises an elongate body having a lumen, and a first and a second plate offset from the proximal end of the elongate body. The first plate is located on one side of the elongate body and the second plate is located on the other side of the elongate body. The first plate includes a first and a second hole operable to suture the first plate to a location adjacent the parotid gland. The second plate includes a first and a second hole operable to suture the second plate to a location adjacent the submandibular gland.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An implant device for placement within a salivary gland duct, the implant device comprising:
 an elongate body having a lumen; 
 a first plate offset from a proximal end of the elongate body, the first plate located on one side of the elongate body, the first plate being substantially perpendicular to, and extending across, a plane of the elongate body; 
 a second plate offset from a distal end of the elongate body, the second plate located on the other side of the elongate body, the second plate being substantially in the plane of, and extending across, the elongate body and substantially perpendicular to the first plate; 
 a first fillet adjacent the first plate, the first fillet having a curved shape and disposed on the elongate body; and 
 a second fillet adjacent the second plate, the second fillet having a curved shape and disposed on the elongate body, 
 wherein the first plate and the second plate each have at least two holes located on opposite sides of the elongate body, 
 wherein upon the placement of the implant device within the salivary gland duct, saliva flows through or along the outside wall of the implant device. 
 
     
     
       2. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first plate is configured to suture the implant device to a parotid gland. 
     
     
       3. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second plate is configured to suture the implant device to a submandibular gland. 
     
     
       4. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a substantially uniform cross section of a substantially circular shape. 
     
     
       5. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant device is made from silicone rubber or an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       6. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a coating for facilitating the insertion and removal of the implant device with respect to the salivary duct, and inhibiting biological tissue build up around the implant device. 
     
     
       7. The implant device according to  claim 6 , wherein the coating comprises Paralyene. 
     
     
       8. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lumen has a diameter in the range of about 0.25 to about 1.50 millimeters. 
     
     
       9. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a length in the range of about 50 to about 90 millimeters. 
     
     
       10. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises an overall diameter in the range of about 0.60 to about 2.0 millimeters. 
     
     
       11. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the offset from the proximal end of the elongate body is about 2 to about 10 millimeters. 
     
     
       12. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the offset from the distal end of the elongate body is about 2 to about 10 millimeters. 
     
     
       13. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plate are made from silicone rubber or an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       14. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plate are rectangular- or elliptical-shaped. 
     
     
       15. The implant device according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant device is a stent or a cannula. 
     
     
       16. The implant device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a first shoulder adjacent the first plate, the first shoulder disposed on the elongate body; and 
 a second shoulder adjacent the second plate, the second shoulder disposed on the elongate body. 
 
     
     
       17. The implant device of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second shoulders are concentric with the elongate body. 
     
     
       18. The implant device of  claim 17 , comprising:
 another first shoulder adjacent the first plate, the another first shoulder disposed on the elongate body and adjacent a side of the first plate opposite the first shoulder; and 
 another second shoulder adjacent the second plate, the another second shoulder disposed on the elongate body and adjacent a side of the second plate opposite the first shoulder. 
 
     
     
       19. The implant device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first and second fillets is next to one of the first and second shoulders. 
     
     
       20. A method of implanting an implant device within a salivary gland duct, the implant device comprising an elongate body having a lumen;
 a first plate offset from a proximal end of the elongate body, the first plate located on one side of the elongate body, the first plate being substantially perpendicular to, and extending across, a plane of the elongate body; 
 a second plate offset from a distal end of the elongate body, the second plate located on the other side of the elongate body, the second plate being substantially in the plane of, and extending across, the elongate body and substantially perpendicular to the first plate, the first plate and the second plate each having at least two holes located on opposite sides of the elongate body; 
 a first fillet adjacent the first plate, the first fillet having a curved shape and disposed on the elongate body; and 
 a second fillet adjacent the second plate, the second fillet having a curved shape and disposed on the elongate body, 
 the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing of the implant device within the salivary gland duct; 
 suturing the first plate to a parotid gland through the diametrically opposed holes; and 
 suturing the second plate to a submandibular gland through the diametrically opposed holes such that saliva flows through or along the outside wall of the implant device.